Ep 25. Empire State of High

In this episode of Drugs, Inc. titled "Empire State of High," viewers are taken on a journey through New York City's thriving marijuana industry. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the underground drug trade in the city, tracing the path of marijuana from the dealers who sell it on the streets all the way back to the growers who produce it in remote locations in the mountains.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to a group of young people in the city who are part of a loosely-organized network of marijuana dealers. These young dealers sell weed to their friends and acquaintances, but they also cater to a broader customer base that includes everyone from college students to Wall Street professionals. The dealers are shown using their cell phones and social media to arrange deals and communicate with each other, highlighting the central role technology plays in the drug trade.

The episode then delves into the process by which marijuana is grown and distributed. Viewers are introduced to a group of growers who cultivate the drug in rural areas of upstate New York and elsewhere. These growers go to great lengths to conceal their operations from law enforcement, using everything from camouflage netting to guard dogs to keep their crops hidden from view. Once the marijuana is harvested, it is transported to the city by a network of middlemen and wholesalers who move it from hand to hand until it reaches the dealers.

The show also explores the different strains of marijuana that are available in the city and the specific effects they have on users. Viewers see firsthand how different strains can have vastly different effects on individuals, and how the popularity of certain strains can fluctuate over time.

Throughout the episode, interviews with law enforcement officials, addiction specialists, and drug users provide additional context and insight into the world of drug use and abuse in New York City. These interviews shed light on the risks associated with drug use, as well as the social and economic factors that contribute to the drug trade's continued existence in the city.

Ultimately, "Empire State of High" provides a fascinating glimpse into the complex and often dangerous world of drug use and distribution in one of America's most vibrant and influential cities. By taking viewers behind the scenes of New York's marijuana trade, the episode exposes the many challenges facing law enforcement officials and public health advocates who are striving to combat drug abuse and addiction in their communities.